Tray set and stand



Sept. 3, 1963 w. c. SAUNDERS 3,102,638"

TRAY SET AND STAND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed D80. 19, 1960 ATTORNEY W. C.SAUNDERS TRAY SET AND STAND Sept. 3, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec.19, 1960 ATTORNEY.

United States Patent M 3,192,638 TRAY SET AND STAND William Q. Saunders,Miami, Fla. (4000 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach, Fla.) Filed Dec.19, 1960, Ser. No. 76,644 2 Claims. (Cl. 211-71) This invention relatesto a tray set and stands therefor, and, more particularly, thisinvention relates to a tray set, the trays of which may be detached fromthe stands provided therefor and used in a portable manner.

In the past, there has been need for a tray set of compact design suchthat the trays, tray stands and a storage cart therefor could be used asrequired and readily stored. This invention is for such a tray set.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device of the typedescribed hereinafter which can be assembled and placed almost anywhere,which is light weight and which can be used in a portable fashion tocarry food and drink.

It is another object of this invention to provide a tray stand which isprovided with a detachable portion having means for carryingconveniently and safely a glass, an

ash tray and a bore doeuvre tray and which may be alternatively used asa stationary stand with a large tray that may be used as an upset-proofbed table for meals which may be served in bed or for a typewritertable.

It is also a general-object of this invention to provide a device of thetype described comprising a stand, a support detachably mounted in saidstand, and a bracket carried by said support whereby articles may becarried thereby.

it is a general object of this invention to provide a device of the typedescribed hereinafter which. will be easily manufactured, durable inconstruction, economical in cost and otherwise well adapted for thepurposes for which the same is intended.

In accordance with these and other obgiects, the instant invention willnow be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a general perspective view;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the portion of FIG. 1generally designated 2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the underside of the tray shown indotted lines in MG. 1, and generally designated FIG. 4 is a detailedview partially in cross section of the lower part of FIG. 1, beinggeneral designated 4- in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front and a side view partially in cross section of thatpart of *FIG. 1 generally designated 5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the instant invention in use;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of that part of FIG. 1 generally designated7';

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wheel cart having a device shown inHG. 1, illustrated in dotted line relation thereto;

FIG. 9 is a detailed view of part of the representative area generallydesignated 9 in HS. 8;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the area shown in FIG. 9 and looking in thedirection of the arrow ll FIG. 11 is a partial side view of the femaleportion of the juncture designated by the arrow 5 in FIG. 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like referencecharacters designate like or corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views and referring particularly to FIGURE 1, l1 designatesgenerally a tray support device having a base 12 provided with an axialbore 13 therethrough, said bore 13 being flared on the underside ldthereof and being provided with a lip 16. The base 12 has a guideextension 17 protruding from the 3,l2,633 Patented Sept. 3, 1963 topsurface 13 thereof, said guide extension having a bore to retain a standextension tube 19. The stand extension tube, which may be adjustable tovary its length, is hereinafter designated as the first tube 19. Thefirst tube 19 has a male end 21 and a female end 22. At the male end 21there are located slots 23 and 24 in diametrical opposition to oneanother, said slots being located adjacent said male end it, andadjacent the upper end 22, there is a cutout 25. The male end of thefirst tube 19 is adapted to be received in the guide extension 17 of thebase 12.

A pair of elongated spring strips 3d is provided having a protrusion ason each and a hook 27 at one end. The strips are mounted as at 28 withinthe male end 21 of the first tube 19 in such a fashion that in thenormal position the hooks 2'7 are in spring biased engagement with thelip 16.

These is also provided a second tube 3'1 having a male end 32 and afemale end 33. A stop ridge 34, comprising a circumferential ridge onthe extension surface of the second tube, is provided, and a hole 36 islocated between said stop ridge and said male end 32.

A spring clip 37 having a button 38 is riveted or otherwise suitablylocated within the interior of the second tube normally disposed withthe button and a key 39 aligned with the hole 36 whereby the second tubemay be alternatively locked into union with the first tube or separatedtherefrom. When the second tube is locked into union with the first tubethe key 39 is passedthrough the hole of the second tube and through thecut-out of the first tube.

A cap 41 is positioned in the female end as well as the male end of thesecond tube providing smooch neat ends for the second tube.

Again referring to the second tube partially shown in FIGURE 7, a feltlined hoop 43 is afiixed near the female end as at 4:4. Disposed on saidsecond tube substantially in diametrical opposition to said hoop andextending downwardly and outwardly therefrom, there is an extension arm46, afiixed to said second tube at one end thereof 47, as at 48, and atthe other end thereof being provided with a fastener 49, which isadapted to engage a leather belt or the like of a person wearing same.FIGURE 6 is drawn next to FIGURE 7, on sheet 2 of the drawing togenerally depict this feature. Reference is now made to FIGURE 2 showingthat part of the second tube adjacent the male end thereof, in whichthere is shown a tray mounting 51, having a first large portion 52 forreceiving a tray, and a second smaller portion 53 for reociving'an ashtray or the like. It will be seen that the second portion is smallerthan the large portion, and that the mounting 51 is disposed such thatthe first portion extends outwardly from one side of the second tubewhile the second portion extends outwardly from the other side of saidtube, the centerline of the areas circumscribed by the first portion andsecond portion of the tray mounting 51, defining a line which may bedescribed as a first reference line. The first reference line issituated relative to the aforesaid felt lined 'hoop such chat it issubstantially perpendicular to a second reference line which would bedefined between the point 44 and the center of the hoop 43 It will beseen that mounting 51 may be formed of one continuous piece of formedstrip metal. A notch 56 is provided in the large portion 52 of themounting, 51 and there is affixed to said mounting a body strip 57 and athumb rest 58.

An hors d oeuvre tray 59 is adapted to be received in the large portion51, said tray being provided with a notch corresponding to the notch 56,as is shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1. The tray 59 has a curved upperedge such that it may be dropped into the larger portion of the mountingwith the curved upper edge amaese 3 engaging the larger portion andbeing supported thereby. A serving tray 61 is also shown in FIGURE 1 indotted line relation to the mounting 51, and in solid lines in FIGURE 3.The underside 62 of the tray is provided with suitable means to engagethe larger portion of the mounting 5-1, and, as shown, the interruptedU-shap'ed piece 63 is adapted to slide over the larger portion 52 suchthat the locking member may engage the notch 56.

In FIGURE 8, a cart 66 is generally shown, and particular attention isdirected to the upper cross member 67 of the frame 68. A series of slots69 are provided either in the surface thereof or in housings therefore,such as the box like housings 71.

Referring to the first tube and, in particular to that section thereofshown in FIGURE 11, a clamping device or bayonet 64 is affixed thereto.

In use, the base, first tube and second tube may be assembled into anupright support. A glass may be inserted in the hoop, an ash tray in thesmaller portion of the mounting and a tray having a notch 56 in thelarger portion .of the mounting. The entire second tube may be removedfrom the first tube and worn on the belt as seen in FIGURE 6, the bodystrip 57 engaging the hip area and the thumb rest 58 being located in aconvenient position thereon. The second tube may be returned to theassembled position with tube 1, and the tray shown in FIGURE 3 mountedthereon without the need of cleaning the smaller tray with the notch 56.

When not in use, the bases are stacked in the bed 78 of the cart, theguide extensions of one mating with the flared underside of another. Thefirst tube and second tube in the joined state may be hung on to thecart by means of the bayonets 64 engaging with the slots 69, shown indotted lines in FIG. or the housings identified by the numeral 71 inFIGURES 8, 9 and 10.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in amost practical embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be madetherefrom within the scope of the invention, which is, therefore, not tobe limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be awarded the fullscope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatusand articles.

I claim:

1. A tray set comprising; a base having an axial bore therethrough, saidbore having a fiaredopening provided with a lip on the underside of saidbase, said base having a guide extension protruding from the top surfacethereof comprising a female opening; a first tube having a male end anda female end and having diametrically opposed slots adjacent said maleend, and a cut-out adjacent said female end, said male end received insaid female opening of the base; a pair of elongated spring stripsprovided with a protrusion in the center thereof, and having a hook atone end thereof, said pair of spring strips being mounted within themale end of said first tube whereby in the normal position the hooksthereof engage said lip slots; a second tube having a male end and afemale end, i

a stop ridge adjacent the male end and a hole between said stop ridgeand said male end; a spring clip having a button thereon, said springclip being riveted in the male end of said second tube above said stopridge normally disposed with said button aligned with said hole, wherebysaid second tube may be locked into said first tube in an assembledstate, the button passing through said hole of said second tube andthrough said cut-out of said first tube; a cap received in the femaleend of said second tube; a felt-lined circular hoop afiixed at thefemale end of said second tube; an extension arm affixed to said secondtube at one end thereof, being disposed substantially diarnetricallyopposed to said hoop and extending out- Wardly and downwardly from saidsecond tube; a fastener mounted to said extension arm and adapted toengage a leather belt; and a tray mounting fastened to said second tubeadjacent the male end thereof, said mounting having a first portion anda second portion, said first portion extending outwardly in a horizontalplane from one side of said second tube and said second portion beingsmaller than said first portion and extending outwardly in a horizontalplane from the opposing side of said second tube, the center line ofsaid portions defining a first reference line substantiallyperpendicular to a second reference line defined by an imaginary lineextending outwardly from said second tube at the point where the hoop isattached and passing through the center of said hoop.

2. A base having an axial bore therethrough', said bore having a flaredopening provided with a lip on the underside of said base, said basehaving a guide extension pro truding from the top surface thereofcomprising a female opening; a first tube having a male end and a femaleend and having diametrically opposed slots adjacent said male end, and acut-out adjacent said female end, said male end received in said femaleopening of the base; a pair of elongated spring strips provided with aprotrusion in the center thereof, and having a hook at one end thereof,said pair of spring strips being mounted within the male end of saidfirst tube whereby in the normal position the hooks thereof engage saidlip and the center protrusions thereof protrude through said slots; 21second tube having a male end and a female end, a stop ridge adjacentthe male end and a hole between said stop ridge and said male end; aspring clip having a button thereon, said spring clip being riveted inthe male end of said second tube above said stop ridge normally disposedwith said button aligned with said hole, whereby said second tube may belocked into said first tube in an assembled state, the button passingthrough said hole of said second tube and through said cut-out of saidfirst tube; a cap received in the female end of said second tube; afelt-lined circular hoop afiixed at the female end of said second tube;an extension arm affixed to said second tube at one end thereof, beingdisposed substantially diametrically opposed to said hoop and extendingoutwardly and downwardly from said second tube; a fastener mounted tosaid extension arm and adapted to engage a leather belt; a tray mountingfastened to said second tube adjacent the male end thereof, saidmounting having a first portion and a second portion, said first portionextending outwardly in a horizontal plane from one side of said secondtube and said second portion being smaller than said first portion andextending outward-1y in a horizontal plane from the opposing side ofsaid second tube, the center line of said portions defining a firstreference line substantially perpendicular to a second reference linedefined by an imaginary line extending outwardly from said second tubeat the point where the hoop is attached and passing through the centerof said hoop; a body strip fixedly attached to one side of said mountingand a thumb rest fixedly attached to the other side of said mounting.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS608,850 Folmer Aug. 9, 1898 696,790 Atkinson Apr. 1, 1902 1,043,387Astruck Nov. 5, 1912 1,397,453 Rekar Nov. 15, 1921 1,711,502 Levien May7, 1929 2,289,945 Wadsack July 14, 1942 2,309,190 Heller Jan. 26, 19432,559,981 McBride July 10, 1951

1. A TRAY SET COMPRISING; A BASE HAVING AN AXIAL BORE THERETHROUGH, SAIDBORE HAVING A FLARED OPENING PROVIDED WITH A LIP ON THE UNDERSIDE OFSAID BASE, SAID BASE HAVING A GUIDE EXTENSION PROTRUDING FROM THE TOPSURFACE THEREOF COMPRISING A FEMALE OPENING; A FIRST TUBE HAVING A MALEEND AND A FEMALE END AND HAVING DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED SLOTS ADJACENTSAID MALE END, AND A CUT-OUT ADJACENT SAID FEMALE END, SAID MALE ENDRECEIVED IN SAID FEMALE OPENING OF THE BASE; A PAIR OF ELONGATED SPRINGSTRIPS PROVIDED WITH A PROTRUSION IN THE CENTER THEREOF, AND HAVING AHOOK AT ONE END THEREOF, SAID PAIR OF SPRING STRIPS BEING MOUNTED WITHINTHE MALE END OF SAID FIRST TUBE WHEREBY IN THE NORMAL POSITION THE HOOKSTHEREOF ENGAGE SAID LIP AND THE CENTER PROTRUSIONS THEREOF PROTRUDETHROUGH SAID SLOTS; A SECOND TUBE HAVING A MALE END AND A FEMALE END, ASTOP RIDGE ADJACENT THE MALE END AND A HOLE BETWEEN SAID STOP RIDGE ANDSAID MALE END, A SPRING CLIP HAVING A BUTTON THEREON, SAID SPRING CLIPBEING RIVETED IN THE MALE END OF SAID SECOND TUBE ABOVE SAID STOP RIDGENORMALLY DISPOSED WITH SAID BUTTON ALIGNED WITH SAID HOLE, WHEREBY SAIDSECOND TUBE MAY BE LOCKED INTO SAID FIRST TUBE IN AN ASSEMBLED STATE,THE BUTTON PASSING THROUGH SAID HOLE OF SAID SECOND TUBE AND THROUGHSAID CUT-OUT OF SAID FIRST TUBE; A CAP RECEIVED IN THE FEMALE END OFSAID SECOND TUBE; A FELT-LINED CIRCULAR HOOP AFFIXED AT THE FEMALE ENDOF SAID SECOND TUBE; AN EXTENSION ARM AFFIXED TO SAID SECOND TUBE AT ONEEND THEREOF, BEING DISPOSED SUBSTANTIALLY DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED TO SAIDHOOP AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID SECOND TUBE; AFASTENER MOUNTED TO SAID EXTENSION ARM AND ADAPTED TO ENGAGE A LEATHERBELT; AND A TRAY MOUNTING FASTENED TO SAID SECOND TUBE ADJACENT THE MALEEND THEREOF, SAID MOUNTING HAVING A FIRST PORTION AND A SECOND PORTION,SAID FIRST PORTION EXTENDING OUTWARDLY IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE FROM ONESIDE OF SAID SECOND TUBE AND SAID SECOND PORTION BEING SMALLER THAN SAIDFIRST PORTION AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY IN A HORIZONTAL PLANE FROM THEOPPOSING SIDE OF SAID SECOND TUBE, THE CENTER LINE OF SAID PORTIONSDEFINING A FIRST REFERENCE LINE SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO A SECONDREFERENCE LINE DEFINED BY AN IMAGINARY LINE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROMSAID SECOND TUBE AT THE POINT WHERE THE HOOP IS ATTACHED AND PASSINGTHROUGH THE CENTER OF SAID HOOP.